History of action films

By Churchill Afodume, Callum Jones and Bailey Nuttman

What is an action movie ?

An action movie is a movie which consists of a hero and a villain traditionally. There are often many fighting, violence and chasing scenes added to

actions movies. Similar to Sci-fi movies , there is also visual effects and CGI added to action movies in order to make the genre stronger and make the

movie better.

Early action films

Action movies developed slowly starting with cowboys and war films directed by different popular directors such as Alfred Hitchcock. However, during the 1960s, agent based movies such as James bond films started to take over the action film industry. James bond movies were very popular in the film industry because it consisted of many different elements and props such technology gadgets, cutting car chase scenes, fighting scenes and the typical hero verses villain dual.

Continuation of history of action movies

• As James bond movies grew more popular in the film industry, this influenced many other film makers from all over the world to make action movies too. This was how different action movies such as martial arts movies like Bruce Lee – enter the dragon were created. In addition, western movies which involved actors such as Clint Eastwood were also created and with movies like these appearing, the action film industry became extremely popular.

• The 1980s was named the “Action Era” in the film industry. This is because action movies became incredibly popular with actors such as Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger taking the action movie film industry by storm. Different movies such as Rocky, The terminator and Die Hard were released which increased the popularity of action movies even more.

21 century action moviesAgain similar to sci-fi movies, Action movies

developed as technology also developed because new software allowed movie editors to add

better effects such as CGI. Action movies have often kept the same theme of hero and villain

over the years with many Marvel superhero movies being produced but also following the

same action verses villain theme.